Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5355, David Duglas, Mass. R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
mass R.I.
Duglas, David or Douglass
S. 5-3 5-5
carded
CONTENTS

15491 Massachusetts
David Douglas
Hymnals in the State of Mass who was a P.S. in the Company commanded by Captain Sawyer of the Regt by Col. Elliot in the Mass line for 10 days Brattle 12 months Matross 3 1/2 days Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 16 Dollars 16 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of June 1838 and sent to S. P. Waltham Newton Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833. $132.92 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33.20 $166.12
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. D. Adams Clerk, Book Vol. 20 Page 17
8 (Mass. R.I. David Douglas. Record corrected. May 14, 1904.)

David Douglass. 7798
Return to E. P. Mathaway Fruitland Monroe Co Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Plymouth. - - - - - ss.
On this Tenth day of September A D 1832 personally appeared, in open court, before the Hon. William Wood, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Plymouth south now sitting at Wessham in and for said county of Plymouth. David Douglass a resident of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated, viz - That early in the year of our Lord 1775 he enlisted at Freetown in said County of Bristol (where he then resided), in a Company of Minutemen, so called, that he was enlisted by Capt t Benjamin Read, then a resident of said Freetown; That soon after he thus enlisted and some time in the month of April of that year, (he cannot be certain of the day of the month) on Sunday there was an alarm, and it was said that the British had landed at Weymouth in the County of Norfolk and at Marshfield in the County of Plymouth - That Capt t Read upon hearing this report ordered all the men whom he had enlisted as Minutemen, to proceed immediately to Middleborough which is an adjacent Town to said Freetown and there placed them in a Company under the command of Capt t Job Pierce of said Middleborough, who-

-immediately marched him the said Douglass together with the whole Company from thence to Marshfield, where after remaining some days, and being also some days at Weymouth which is adjacent to Marshfield, and the enemy having left those places, and returned to their Ships which lay not far from those places, the said Douglass and the Company were marched back to said Middleborough, where Captain Pierce dismissed the Company and discharged them from any further duty at that time - This discharge was a verbal and not a written one - That there were many Troops at Marshfield and Weymouth at the time of this Alarm, but that he does not recollect the name or names of any of their Officers - That he knows, that there were not any Continental Troops at Weymouth or Marshfield at that time, as this Alarm took place before there was any Continental Troops raised - That he knows he was upon this service at least ten days and the said Douglass thinks much longer - That he does not know of any person now living by whom he can prove this service - That he never received any compensation whatever for this service -
And the said Douglass upon his oath aforesaid, further declares; that about the first of January A.D. 1776. he went from Freetown aforesaid, (where he then resided) to Norton in said County of Bristol, where he the then enlisted as a Sergeant in a Company of Infantry commanded by Capt Israel Root in Col Jacob French's Regiment - Zebulon Fields of Taunton was the first Lieutenant Zebulon Dyer of said Freetown was the second Lieutenant

and Solomon Witherell of said Boston was the Ensign and commissioned Officers of said Company under Capt. How — Manasseh Hampton was the Lieutenant Col. of the Regiment, and he thinks and believes, but is not certain, that a person by the name of Jordan was the Major of the same — That very soon after he thus enlisted, and within one or two days, he and the company were marched from said Boston direct to Roxbury in the vicinity of Boston Massachusetts, — That he and the company were soon after marched from Roxbury to Winter Hill, and after there remaining from one to two weeks, as near as he can recollect, they were marched from thence to Dorchester where they were stationed, until the expiration of one and a half months when his term of enlistment having then expired, he was there discharged by Capt. How. — That this discharge was a verbal and not a written one — That he served as a Sergeant one and a half months under Capt. How. — That during this period, he was sometimes upon guard, but generally upon fatigue duty, in erecting fortifications and entrenchments. When they were entrenching and fortifying upon Dorchester neck, the British Ships of War lay very near, and in consequence thereof, they had to work in the night time. The British however, almost constantly, were firing large shot and shells at the works, whilst they were erecting them, and many of the American Troops were killed. — That after the American Army had besieged Boston some time, and that in this period of his service he well recollects of the evacuation of Boston by the British Troops. — They evacuated Boston, not long before the expiration of this period of his service. — That he was discharged on the 16 th day of March A.D. 1776. by Capt. How as aforesaid. — he recollects of —

-of Genl. Thomas, being at Dorchester and Winter Hill in this period of his service. — He recollects of hearing the name of Genl. Putnam at that time, but cannot now say whether he saw him during this period — Whether there were any Continental Troops in the vicinity of Boston in any part of this period he is unable to state — There were a great many Regiments of Troops about Boston at that time, but he cannot now recollect the name or names of any of their Officers, except a person whose name was Starks who was then a colonel, and also excepting the names of the Officers of Col. French's Regiment — That he was in the service of the State of Massachusetts — That he is unable to state with any greater certainty than is before stated the day when he commenced this service — He knows however that he served One and half months — Evidence of this service will be found in the Affidavit of Samuel Richmond which is hereto annexed who served as a private Soldier in the same Company —
And the said Douglass upon his oath aforesaid further declares that in the year 1777 he was again called out upon another Alarm by Capt. Benjamin Read, at said Treetown (where he the said Douglass then resided) the said Read then being the Captain of a Company of Militia in which he the said Douglass was then enrolled as a Sergeant; that he the said Douglass was marched with the Company from said Treetown and crossed Taunton Great River, so called, at Androps Ferry, so called, inighton in said County of Bristol, and from thence proceeded direct to Warren in the state of Rhode Island where the Company was —

- afterwards stationed - Philip Heathway was the lieutenant and David Pierce the Ensign of this company - Col John Heathway commanded the Regiment. The same night after the company arrived at Warren and joined the Regiment, news having reached Warren, that the Tories in Freetown and its vicinity had risen and were in arms, after the company left Freetown that he the said Douglass and twenty four other persons were detached and ordered to return to Freetown and there remain under arms until they should be discharged. - Brigadier General Godfrey gave the said Douglass and others with him this order - Gen Godfrey was at Warren - Major Nathaniel Horton and Lieutenant Ashley were the officers of this detachment. That he & the detachment returned to said Freetown and marched all night to reach the same; where, as he and the others were ordered, they were engaged in taking and apprehending Tories and lodging them in Farmton Gaol. He was constantly engaged as a sergeant in this service at least one month and the said Douglass thinks & believes more longer. When he was discharged, it was by Capt Read, and his discharge was not in writing but verbal. That he cannot be certain in what month or months in the Year but is confident however that it was in the Spring or Summer - season when this service was rendered. That there are two persons to his knowledge now living, and they are the only ones, that he knows that are now alive, by whom he can prove this service. That both of these persons decline testifying as they were apprehended and imprisoned as Tories by the said Douglass, but after several weeks in gaol, enlisted in the American army. One of them is now on a pension list, and the other has lately applied for a pension. And the said Douglass upon his oath aforesaid further declares that in the month of March the latter part of the month of March A.D. 1778 he was again

he went from outside  called out at said Treetown (where he then resided) to Providence, Rhode Island, where he there enlisted as a Matross for the period of one year, in a company of artillery commanded by Capt. Joshua Sawyer, in Col. Robert Elliott's Regiment. That  after  he  then  enlisted he then enlisted he commenced doing duty at said Providence under Capt. Sawyer. After remaining a few days at Providence the company were divided into divisions three parts or detachments. The detachment under Capt. Sawyer to whose de- tachment the said Douglas belonged, was marched from Providence to Gardner's Neck, so called, in Pawtuxet in said County of Bristol and State of R.I. where they were stationed, guarding the shores of the mainland from the invasions of the enemy, who then had the possession of Newport and the Island of Rhode Island, about three or four months. The detachment under Nathaniel Glading who was the 1st Lieutenant of said company was stationed at or near Field's Point, so called in the vicinity of Providence where they remained three or four months. The other detachment under Edward Price who was the Lieutenant of the company was stationed three or four months at State's Ferry in that part of Pawtuxet which is now incorporated into the Town of Scituate in the State of Mass. During  in the time in which he was thus stationed at Gardner's Neck, the enemy landed at Warren R.I. and burnt the Wickannit Mills so called, and the American boats at that place, and also took up the bridge across the Wickannit river, so called, etc. The detachments of this company that were stationed at Gardner's Neck and at State's Ferry marched for and were transported to Warren where they arrived before the enemy had left that place. After the detachments had arrived, Major Brown, who commanded at said Warren would not permit the detachments to fire upon the enemy; the enemy however were then firing upon the town. Soon after Major Brown had ordered the detachments not to fire, Col. Barton came to them and ordered the troops to fire, when an engagement took place, and Col. Barton had his horse killed under him, and he was wounded. The British however soon retreated, and took their boats and got a board of their ships which

lay not far from Warren. After this the Detachments returned to their former Stations, where they remained until a short time before the battle at or near Brattle and Quagmire Hills, so called, upon the Island of Rhode Island when they were marched to Bristol R.I. and from there to a place called and further to a place in the Island of Rhode Island, so called, to the Island of Rhode Island, so called, in Easton R.I. where they marched to the Island and marched near to Bull's Hill so called where they remained some days and were then moved near to about the middle of the Island in Middle town, where they were stationed some days, during which time they were sometimes on guard, but generally upon fatigue duty at Eason's Ponds, so called; and when when he was detached to go into the fort at Bristol Ferry, so called, and there he was detached with others upon this service a short time before the battle at Brattle and Quagmire Hills. Some of the company had before been detached and placed in the fort at Bristol Ferry. Here the said Douglas remained and on the day of the battle at or near said Hills, the fort had an engagement with a British ship of war. His fort commanded one of the passages around the Island. After the battle and after the American troops had retreated from the Island the company all again moved at Bristol where he thinks they were stationed a half a month, guarding the town and vicinity where they were marched to Warren where they remained guarding that place until the 16th of March A.D. 1777, when he having served one full year , and his term of enlistment having then expired, as well as the term of the enlistment of the company; he was then discharged by Capt. Sawyer with the whole company - That he will not receive a written discharge. The name of the lieutenant fire worker of this company was Nathan Johnson and James Guilford Evans was the order by Sergeant. - Then the company was raised by and for the service of the State of Rhode Island and he cannot fix the time of his enlistment with any greater certainty than is herein before stated - David Hagg was the Major of Col. Elliott's Regiment. - Capt. Carlisle was stationed at Providence at the time he the said Douglas

was there with Capt. Sawyer - Capt. Carlisle belonged to Col. Elliott's Virginia When he was stationed at Providence neck, the only troops that were there stationed was the detachment of Capt. Sawyer's company and a company of Infantry commanded by a officer of the name of Smith. - When he was at the fort, the only troops then stationed were a part of Capt. Sawyer's company. There were however a great many troops upon the Island at that time. He remembers that some of them (at least) one or more Brigades were continental troops - He recollects that Col. Brane commanded a Regiment of Continental Artillery - He remembers that Gen. Sullivan was upon the Island and then commanded the troops. He also remembers that Generals Glover and Varnum were there - When he was stationed at Warren; Gen. Varnum was there and also Col. Brane - He remembers also that a Captain Jew commanded a company of Infantry that was stationed at Warren. - Evidence of this is now will be found in the records of affidavits of Richard Clark and Samuel Richmond both of whom served in the same company with him the said Douglas. - That after March 18 th 1818 he made an application for a pension and founded his application upon this service, and that he afterwards received a pension certificate but never saw any compensation by virtue of said certificate as he was informed and understood soon after he received it, that his name was struck from the pension list, because he served as a soldier for the State of Rhode Island instead of serving upon the continental establishment. That he supposes this certificate is lost, as he cannot find it among his papers when he has searched for it, and as he has not seen it for some years past. - That he resided in said Middleborough when he before applied. -

And the said Douglas upon his oath aforesaid, further declares that in the spring of 1862 (he was then at the summer of 1861 abroad Providence where he then resided) he was again called out by Capt. Benjamin Head who commanded a company of militia upon an alarm at Fall River, so called, so that he was the order by Captain Head, said company and enrolled in the same as such. — That he was marched by Capt. Head with the company to said Fall River which is situated near the line between the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts and near to Chambers Bay, where the company was stationed and he served at least seventeen days, and the said Douglas thinks and believes as long as one month, when he was then discharged by Capt. Head. — He did not have a written discharge as Col. John Hathaway commanded the Regiment as he thinks and believes, and said Hathaway was at Fall- River during this alarm. — Philip Hathaway was the lieutenant and David Pierce the ensign of the company. — There were many other troops at and about Fall River at that time, but they were not the Continental troops and he does not recollect the names of their offi- cers or of any of them. — That he cannot fix the time when this service commenced or ended with any greater certainty than is above stated — but thinks and believes that he served one month, but knows and is willing to swear that he served at least seventeen days at that time . — That whilst he was there stationed, he was engaged with the company and other troops in guarding the shore of Chambers Bay — said Fall River, so called, was then the southwestern part of Providence, but afterwards when the town of Bay was incorporated it was, and is, included in the bounds of said Bay. — Evidence of this service will also be found in the annexed affidavit of Richard Clark who served in the same company. And the said Douglas upon his oath aforesaid further declares that he served beside the aforesaid mentioned and described periods all of which

described periods amounts at least to fifteen months and twelve days (during several other periods in the Revolution) that he served (he thinks one month under Capt. Read at the time of Spencer's expedition, but as he cannot fix the time with such accuracy as to be willing to swear to the same he shall make no further mention herein of said several other periods.)
And the said Douglas in order more fully to answer the Interrogatories (proposed by the Secretary of War) says he supposes he was born in said Freetown , as his parents so informed him, and he having there resided at the time of his earliest recollection, that he was born on the 8 th of September A.D. 1755. That he cannot find that his birth is recorded upon the records of Births in said Freetown although he has there made search for the same. That he remembers his father had a Bible in which he recorded the names and the births of all his children and among them were the name and birth of Jane a mul- -tress . That after the decease of his father, who has been dead for many years, his brother  Daniel Douglas had said Bible, and said Daniel has also been dead for many years, and where it now is, he is unable to say, as it probably descended to some one of Daniel's children; he the said Daniel has not seen it since the death of the said Daniel. — That before his father's death he took a copy from said Bible of said Births, which copy he the said Daniel now has in his possession and has lately seen it.
That his place of residence at the several periods when he was called into the service was in said Freetown in the County of Bristol. That after the Revolution he continued to reside in said Freetown fifteen or twenty years, when he moved from thence, between one and two miles, into the Town of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth in which Town he has always since resided. How he was called into the service; the names of his and of other officers so far as he recollects, together with the general circumstances of his service and the manner in which he was discharged, are all before particularly mentioned in this De-

lations. He was no habitue. The names of the persons who can testify to his veracity and in part to his services as a soldier, are the same who have subscribed the annexed affidavits; and in addition to these persons he has no doubt but that the Rev. Philip which is Bathaney who has resided and preached a great number of years in said Preston in the vicinity of the said David Douglass and also Earl Sears a resident of said Middleborough, can testify to his character for veracity and their belief that he rendered the aforementioned and described services as a soldier of the Revolution -
as a witness of the truth of the foregoing statement, I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office, and that the same is not to his knowledge in any way obnoxious to any provision or immunity excepting as herein expressed. In witness whereof, the said David Douglas has hereunto set his hand and the seal of the said office this 10th day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. David Douglas
Dear Douglas,
David Douglas Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first mentioned in this declaration Attest Jacob W. Lord Register We Philip Hathaway a Clergyman residing in the Town of Freetown in the County of Bristol and East Searse residing in Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Douglass who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and that we believe him to be twenty six years of age; and that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion. — Philip Hathaway
Sworn to subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. — Allul Jacob H. Loud Register
and the law hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the

War Department, that the above named applicant, was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Philip Hathaway who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in the Town of Fruitvale and that Earl Sears who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Middleborough and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit - By the Court, Attest, Jacob H. Loud Register
I Jacob H. Loud, Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of David Douglas for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two. -
Jacob H. Loud

7798- David Douglass Map
10 days Private 12 months Matross 3 " 2 days Sergeant
adm'd
15 \overline{) 50.00} (33 \frac{1}{3} 45 5
112 50.00 15.00 .33 76.45
Ebenezer D. Hemenway Freeborn Bristol Co Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of David Douglass — Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775. mid. 10 Private 6th Regt. 76. born in Free town Mass entered in Bristol Co Mass no time in Middleborough Plymouth Co. Mass   July. 76 " 1. 15 Sergeant 6th Troop 6th French   77 " 1 " 6th Regt. Col Hathaway   78. " 1 Matross 6th Sawyer's Regt.   Summer 78. " 17 Sergeant 6th Regt. Col Hathaway  
2 surviving witnesses prove the service generally Certificate of Churchman and Citizen
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
10 day Private { 3 mo. 2 " Sergeant { 12 " Matross {

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1932.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (s) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
 If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place-where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
☞ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Q May 9, 1939
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Mr. W. E. Douglas 28 Marine Avenue, Apt. 3B. Brooklyn, New York
Q BA-J/MCS David Douglas, S. 5355
Dear Sir:
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 5355 , based on the Revolutionary War service of David Douglas, personal signature Duglas.
David Douglas was born September 3, 1755, in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
While living in Freetown he belonged to a company of minutemen under Captain Benjamin Read and sometime in April, 1775, during an alarm that the British had landed at Weymouth and Marshfield, he marched to Middleborough and was there placed in Captain Job Pierce's Massachusetts company and served at least ten days as private. About the first of January, 1776, he enlisted as sergeant in Captain Israel Trow's company in Colonel Jacob French's Massachusetts regiment and served one and one half months. He enlisted in the spring or summer of 1777 and served one month as sergeant in Captain Benjamin Read's company in Colonel John Hathaway's Massachusetts regiment. In 1777, at the time of Spencer's Rhode Island expedition, he served one month in Captain Benjamin Read's Massachusetts company. Early in March, 1778, he went from Freetown, Massachusetts, to Providence, Rhode Island, and there enlisted as matross in Captain Joshua Sawyer's company in Colonel Robert Elliot's regiment of Rhode Island artillery and was discharged March 16, 1779, having served one year. He returned to Freetown, Massachusetts, and in the summer of 1780 enlisted in Captain Benjamin Read's company in Colonel John Hathaway's Massachusetts regiment and served between seventeen days and one month and was engaged in guarding the shores of Mount Hope Bay.
David Douglas lived in Freetown for fifteen or twenty years after the Revolution when he moved to Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.

David Duglas was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, at which time he was living in Middleborough, Massachusetts.
In 1832, David Duglas stated that his father had been dead many years and he then referred to a brother, Daniel, then deceased but was survived by children, their names not given. There are no further data relative to soldier's family.
This is the only David Duglas (searched under all spellings) who served with Rhode Island troops that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of David Duglas, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of death of the soldier, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington D.C., giving the following data:
David Douglass (placed on pension roll as Douglass) Certificate #15491, issued June 18, 1833, rate $66.46 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1939 May 9. Init. to W. E. Douglas. See letter in Rev. ch. Chas. Douglas U. 20993.
Reuben
5355 INVALID.
File No. 5355
David Douglas Sgt. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 99
[Arrangement of 1870.]
David Douglas Records corrected May 14 1904

(Revolutionary claim) —
J. L. Edwards - Esq. Commissioner of Rev. Claims Washington D. C.

Deetown, Bristol Eng. April 11 th 1833 -
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir. Yesterday I rec d from J. L. Lound the Registrar of the Court of Probate in the County of Plymouth the enclosed declaration &c. of David Douglass, an applicant for a pension. - The amendments of the certificates of the magistrates to the affidavits have been made, & I trust that they are made in conformity with the requisitions of the Department. - Mr. Lound sent these papers to me, as I drew the declaration for Douglass, in conformity with Douglass's instructions. - I want you whenever a certificate is made for Douglass (if any shall be made) to transmit the same to me, as Mr. Lound resides about thirty miles from me and from Doug- lass. - Douglass requests you (through me) to send the certifi- -cate to me, as he resides within two miles of me, & as he is a very poor man, & not able to pay postage. - I had, as his friend, to advance the postage for him, which was charged upon these papers, by sending them from Plymouth (that being Mr. Lound's place of residence) to this place. - Mr. Lound also requests that the certificate may be sent to me as it will save him the trouble of transmitting it to me or Douglass. -
At the time that Douglass filed his declaration in Court, Earl Mans of Chideborough also filed a declaration he being an applicant also, for a Pension. - Mr. Lound (over)

informs me by his letter, that he has not recd. any intelligence from the Department respecting Lears, & declaration. — If there is any informality in any of Lears, & papers, I wish you would transmit and direct them to me, for amend- -ment, instead of sending them to the hand, as the same reasons would apply to not sending them to the hand as apply to not sending Douglass, & certificate to hand. — I chd Lears, & declaration, & he lives in my neigh- -borhood, but not near the hand. — If there be no objections to Lears, & declaration or his evidence; the Lears wishes you to send his certificate for a Pension to the & not to the hand. —
I am, with great respect, Your Obh. Servant -
Chatham P. Hathaway -

I, Richard Clark of Freetown in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, do testify and say that I was in the war of the Revolution in the Rhode Island service in Capt Joshua Sayer's Company and in the Regiment under the command of Col. Elliot it being a Regiment of Artillery for the term of one year in the years of seventeen hundred and seventy eight and seventy nine, and that David then a Resident of Freetown but now Douglas of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and State aforesaid was in the same Company, that he served as long as I did (to wit) one year in Capt Sayer's Company in Col. Robert Elliot's Regiment of Artillery; that he came home with me and, that we were both honorably discharged; and that in the year seventeen hundred and eighty I was in an Alarm at Fall River (so called) or place between Bristol in Rhode Island and (now) Ray in Massachusetts, and, that the aforesaid David Douglas was with me and, that both he and I were there between two and three weeks, we were in the Company, commanded by Capt Benjamin Root of Freetown. Richard Clark
Bristol ss. August 10 th 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Richard Clark and made oath to the truth of the foregoing instrument & declaration by him subscribed. Before me Thomas Bump, Justice of the Peace
Bristol ss. April 10. 1833 I certify that I am, and have been for many years past, personally acquainted with Richard Clark who subscribed the above affidavit, & that his character for veracity is good, & that his above statement is entitled to full faith and credit.
Thomas Bump - Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
District ss.
I James Sprout, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Thomas Damp Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within and annexed certificates is a Justice of the peace, in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty-two.
Jas. Sprout

I Samuel Richmond of Treetown in the County of Bristol Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I served in the revolutionary war, that I was in Haverburg in the year seventeen hundred and sixty six in Capt Israel Dyer's Company, in Col Jacob French's Regiment, that I served six weeks, in this service ended on the sixteenth day of March in the aforesaid year and I further say that Daniel  Wm a Resident of Treetown but now Douglas of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts served as a private  Sergeant in the same Company with me to wit: Capt Dyer's Company and in Col. French's Regiment and that he served six weeks. And I do further testify and say that I served in the Rhode Island line in the years seventeen hundred and seventy eight and seventy nine as a Matross in Capt Sawyer's Company of Artillery and in Col Elliott's Regiment, and that I served in the one year, service and that Daniel Douglas aforesaid served in the same Company to wit, in Capt Sawyer's Company of Artillery in Col Elliott's Regiment, and that he served as a Matross, and that he served in the one year, service and was honorably discharged.
Samuel Richmond
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. August 14 th 1882 Then Personally appeared the above named Samuel Richmond and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me Marvin Burnp Justice of the Peace
Bristol ss. April 10 th 1883 - I certify that I am personally acquainted with Samuel Richmond who subscribed the above affidavit, and have been for many years past & that his character for truth is good, & that his statement above, is entitled to full faith & credit. Thomas Burnp Justice of Peace

May 9, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. W. E. Douglas 28 Marine Avenue, Apt. 3B. Brooklyn, New York
BA-J/MCS Charles Douglass, W. 20993 David Douglas, S. 5355
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Charles Douglass who was pensioned while a resident of Washington County, Rhode Island, and of David and James Douglass who served with Rhode Island troops.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information relative to a James Douglass (searched under all spellings) who served with Rhode Island troops.
The records of Charles Douglass, W. 20993, and David Douglas, S. 5355, are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator